Is there a science behind laughter therapy? Yes there certainly is, in fact, laughter techniques have been used for thousands of years in Eastern countries, in particular India.
The practice of this therapy in the United States is actually based on a science called psychoneuroimmunology. But does it actually improve your health? Yes, Read how and why.
Psycho - refers to how our minds process information
Neuro - refers to how the nervous system reacts to this though process
Immunology - refers to how our immune system responds to the marriage of thought and emotion or feelings.
Barbara Mascio has created the workshop, The Caregivers Guide to Cracking UP! This three-hour fun interactive workshop is suitable for both professional and family caregivers. A slight adaptation to this workshop is the Life's Guide to Cracking UP! and is geared towards employers, seniors, and folks of any age.
Click Here to enjoy a few photos that should bring a smile to your face!
The workshop explores laughter and you have the opportunity to experience first hand the surge of healthy chemicals derived from this type of laughter. Ms. Mascio also covers other aspects of your daily life as well. By focusing on the tiny details you can greatly benefit each and every day as you learn how to handle stress in a manner that does not cause you physical harm.
The following is the basic outline to this three-hour workshop focused on therapeutic laughter techniques, psychoneuroimmunology, and the small details' comprising our every day lives.
This workshop explores the science of Psychoneuroimmunology using simple non-medical terminology to lay the foundation of understanding of how our minds control the production of chemicals, primarily endorphins, within our body.
Participants will learn how to produce stress-relieving, immune enhancing chemicals within their own bodies during this fun interactive workshop.
Target Audience
Family caregivers and professional caregivers.Any one searching for a more positive approach to processing daily stress
Topics Covered
Laughter, color, music, aromas, lighting and verbal scripting as it applies to altering ones' sense of perception to stress. Additional information includes the importance of people, plants and pets in your life.
Objective
The science of Psychoneuroimmunology establishes the fact that we do have the ability to alter the chemical production within our bodies. Participants are challenged to use the simple ideas and steps experimentally in their daily life for 21 days.
What you will learn
How to increase the production of chemicals and hormones that are designed to enhance our immune system, control pain, and increase an overall feeling of joy
How to choose colors, sounds, music and light that assists in altering your mood
Learn the power of the I AM
Recognizing the physical results of stored emotions and how to release
The outcome objectives are
You will .....
Feel more relaxed
Have more energy
Feel less sad
Feel less angry
Sleep better
Report feeling healthier
Experience a higher level of creativity
Planned Outcomes
Those who apply what they learn in this workshop will feel a shift in attitude. He or she will have learned skills that are easily applied to process stress in a more positive manner. This alone will translate in to a more healthier, energetic and calmer care provider.
Invite the Cracking UP! Series
Would you like to book this fun series for your group, employees, health and elder care staff, support group, business meeting, health fair, etc.?
Complete the following contact form and we'll get back with you to discuss the fees and available schedule.
Coming Soon!
The Caregivers Guide to Cracking UP! Workbook/CD is in the process! Soon, you will be able to order this step-by-step guide, complete with audio CD.
The announcement will be made within our online free monthly ezine. If you haven't already signed up to receive the ezine, please do so now.
Researchers are now saying laughter can bring balance to all the components of the immune system, which helps us fight off diseases. Laughter reduces levels of certain stress hormones.
Laughter provides a safety valve that shuts off the flow of stress hormones and the fight-or-flight compounds that swing into action in our bodies when we experience stress, anger or hostility.
These stress hormones suppress the immune system, increase the number of blood platelets (which can cause obstructions in arteries) and raise blood pressure.
When we're laughing, natural killer cells that destroy tumors and viruses increase, as do Gamma-interferon (a disease-fighting protein), T-cells, which are a major part of the immune response, and B-cells, which make disease-destroying antibodies.
The adrenal glands produce two primary hormones, DHEA and cortisol. Both are considered the major shock absorber hormones in the body. They buffer us to stress and the negative impact it can have on both mental and physical function.
Long-term stress can have a serious impact on the adrenal glands and cause them to shrink and reduce production. This causes cellular damage, which sets off a chain reaction affecting all parts of the body, as well as accelerating the aging process
Laughter also increases the concentration of a natural antibody, IGA in the salivary glands (immunoglobulin A,) that defends against infectious organisms entering through the respiratory tract.
Aerobic Benefits
What may surprise you even more is the fact that researchers estimate that laughing 100 times is equal to 10 minutes on the rowing machine or 15 minutes on an exercise bike. Laughing can be a total body workout!
Blood pressure is lowered, and there is an increase in vascular blood flow and in oxygenation of the blood, which further assists healing. Laughter also gives your diaphragm and abdominal, respiratory, facial, leg and back muscles a workout. That's why you often feel exhausted after a long bout of laughter -- you have just had an aerobic workout!
Psychological Benefits
The psychological benefits of humor are being recognized in the healthcare field. People often store negative emotions, such as anger, sadness and fear, rather than expressing them.
Laughter provides a way for these emotions to be harmlessly released. Laughter is cathartic. Laughter also triggers the release of endorphins, the body's natural painkillers, and produces a general sense of well-being.
Is there a science behind laughter therapy? Yes there certainly is, in fact, laughter techniques have been used for thousands of years in Eastern countries, in particular India.
